The Department is investigating numerous reports of sick and dead waterfowl across Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is monitoring reports of sick and dead waterfowl, such as geese and ducks, across the state. The Department is actively collecting birds to determine the cause of illness but suspects highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to be the cause. Other states, including Kansas and Iowa, are experiencing similar occurrences.

Avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, spreads as birds along the North American flyways intermingle with infected birds from Europe and Asia. The viruses are transmitted from bird to bird through fecal droppings, saliva, and nasal discharges. There is a risk for spillover from wild birds into domestic poultry and then back again from poultry to wild birds, resulting in further spread.

Though HPAI does not present an immediate public health concern, MDC recommends the following:

• Do not touch dead geese, waterfowl, or other bird species.
• Report any sightings of dead geese to MDC online at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4KD
• Ensure that pets do not come into contact with dead animals to help prevent the spread of disease.
• If you have inadvertently come into contact with a dead goose, wash your hands thoroughly and contact a healthcare professional if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Due to ongoing waterfowl hunting seasons, waterfowl hunters should dress game birds in the field whenever possible or at a location away from poultry or other birds. Hunters should also properly dispose of harvest waste by placing the remains in trash bags and disposing of them through trash collection or a permitted landfill. Bald eagles and other raptors are particularly susceptible to avian influenza. This simple action could help prevent bald eagle and other raptor mortalities.

Hunters should also be aware it is possible to transport avian influenza viruses on boats, waders, or other equipment, especially if it isn’t dry before moving it from one site to another. Allowing hunting equipment to dry between outings will reduce this chance.

Avian influenza does not present an immediate public health concern, though on rare occasions it has infected humans and other animals. It is safe to eat poultry and wild game as normal cooking temperatures are hot enough to kill the virus if present. Meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

More information can be found on the Missouri Department of Agriculture website at https://agriculture.mo.gov/avian-influenza.php.

Citizens of Bloomfield,

On Nov. 25, 2024, council members discussed, in executive session, the pros and cons of continuing to operate a city transit bus.

The low number of riders that benefit from this service did not outweigh the expenses each month incurred by the city. Council members voted unanimously to discontinue this service to the residents of Bloomfield.

Effective 01/01/2025, the city bus will no longer be operating. If you have any questions or concerns relating to the closing of the transit service, you may reach out to a council member: Cecil Haley, Rachel Clary, Jacob Goodin, Nick Roe, or call City Hall at (573)568-3464.

However, should you need a ride in the future, please contact SMTS at (573)624-8624.

Sincerely,

Bloomfield City Council

Presiding Commissioner asked everyone to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer over the county.

The Commissioner failed to address the other two individuals on the Johnson Grass Board when they appointed Doug Lowery.  When they received a letter in the mail from the Agriculture Dept requesting they re-appoint the other individuals.

Motion to re-appoint Ronnie Elsworth and Matt Nichols to the Johnson Grass Board made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Cecil Weeks, Stoddard County Clerk

Misc Fund is actually the Private Car Tax Fund.  All the railroad cars that come thru the town of Dexter has a tax on it.  The Financial Institution Tax from the courts also goes into that Misc. Fund.

Mr. Weeks distributes the monies to the schools within the county.  The auditor suggested that the Commissioners change the name of the fund from Misc. Fund to the Private Car Tax Fund. $3,315.00.

Motion to rename Misc Fund 16 on the Stoddard County Budget to the Private Car Tax Fund made by Commissioner C.D. Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Fund #5 County Farm Line Item on the Stoddard County Budget

According to Commissioner Stewart there is $27,810.00 is in the fund as of 11/7/2024.  The Poor Farm Monument came from out of this fund several years ago. The recommendation came from Mr. Weeks to move that money to the General Revenue Fund because no one has requested any monies out of it in years.  It was just a housekeeping move.  Question from this reporter was, "Could the monies be used for the upkeep of the grass or something for the Veterans Cemetery Foundation?  No real answer given; however it was discussed among the Commissioners.

Motion to closed out County Farm Fund 5 and transfers to General Revenue in the amount of $27,810.32 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner C.D. Stewart.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

Remove CART from Fund 6

Motion to Remove the word CART from Fund 6 made by Commissioner C.D.Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carol Jarrell.  All three voted yes and motion passed.

CART Fund is now Fund 44 and Fund 6 will now only be Road & Bridge.

"We are not moving any money just renaming the Fund for the auditors," stated Weeks.

County Aid Road Trust Fund (CART) monies are split between the road districts and the county.

Drainage Ditches

"I know that Speakman has done some good research on these ditches," stated Mathis.  "Nobody knew when the ditches consolidated etc."  

"Let's put this on the Agenda for two weeks from today," stated Mathis.

Dale Moreland, Castor Township Requesting Additional ARPA Monies

"The Railroad did not have any ownership of County Road 551 across from County Road 510," stated Dale Moreland, Castor Township.

"That bridge there goes into the Bostic property, the side walls are good and Chad Payne gave us a quote in the amount of $11,750. and that is for a deck on top of that bridge.  Jacob Cleary printed off some things and the bridge is absolutely terrible," Commissioner Mathis said.

"The railroad people said it is not on them.  It will be the Castor Township and therefore requesting monies out of the ARPA funds," continued Moreland.

"We will put it on our agenda next week to get the money allocated for that repair," stated Mathis.  Moreland said he will make sure when the Board meets on Tuesday night they will vote on everything and get a letter to Katelyn Lambert at Bootheel Regional Planning Commission as soon as possible.

Motion to accept Monday, November 25th minutes made by Commissioner Jarrell, Mathis seconded.  Abstaining due to be absence Sewart. Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to put out for bid for the roof top unit over the Justice Center will be delayed until next week.  Specs have been written; however the Commissioner need time to review the information.

Motion to accept the Closed Session meeting minutes from Monday, November 25th made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Mathis.  Abstaining was Stewart due to absence.  Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to enter into Closed Session made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Stewart.  Open session ended at 11:05 a.m.

The Stoddard County Commissioners began their weekly meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.

Loyd Rice, GoSEMO Fiber and SEMO Electric

"Go SEMO Fiber has applied for the BEAD Funding to fill in some of the donut holes that we haven't already built and as part of that process we have to have a letter from a County government agency. This is the template for the letter," commented Loyd Rice, GoSEMO Fiber.  "Anyone unserved or underserved in Stoddard County will not get internet." The award will be early spring or summer for the grant. 

The Broadband, Equity, Access & Deployment Program (BEAD)1 provide federal funding to make grants to Eligible Entities for broadband, planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption projects and activities.

Motion to sign the approve the application of support from SEMO Electric from the office of BEAD to expand fiberoptic network within Stoddard County made by Commission Carrol Jarrell, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Both voted yes and motion passed.  Commission C.D. Stewart is absent as he is attending the Missouri Association of Counties Conference.

Disability Parking 

A concerned citizen contacted Mr. Mathis about the Disability Parking near the Justice Center due to the fact there are no signs designating the parking areas also the lines need to be painted. Mr. Mathis stated he will get the county maintenance person on this and get a sign ordered. 

Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chambers of Commerce

"Our County has been designated a Work Ready Community and received this award," stated Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber of Commerce Director.

The Work Ready Community is a national incentive for workforce with education.    

"Hillary Starnes, a previous director of the Chamber, had started this, then COVID came, and then I have completed the process." continued Trammell.

National Conference was in Atlanta, Georgia. The Workforce Development in Cape Girardeau picked up the award for Mrs. Trammel as she was unable to attend.  Mr. Mathis sits on the board for Workforce Development

"We have created an ad promotional video for Dexter and received funding for this and used a local videographer to produce the video," commented Trammell.  "Missouri Farmer's Care, the Dexter Chamber, and Missouri Department of Economic Development all provided to the video.     

Cal-Maine held a one day hiring event.  About 100 positions were open with 425 people coming in to apply.  "Cal-Maine had about 15-20 people doing the interviews," Trammell said. "I think it went very well."  Hatchery will get eggs on December 9th.  1.2 - 1.4 millions eggs per day will be processed thru this plan.  "Several growers have been retrofitted to begin selling the eggs to Cal-Maine," stated Trammell.  "That good for our local farmers."

Mrs. Trammell stated that there was approximately 10,400 people in the downtown area a Fall Fest, an event recently held in Dexter.

William Dowdy, Stoddard County Maintenance

Roof Top Unit #3 was installed in 2002 when the Justice Center and Courtroom opened. It does not have a dehumidifier. This is the original unit and is 22 years old.

Motion to put out a Bid Sheet to purchase/replace and install the Roof Top Unit #3 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.

Beau Bishop, EMA Director

Mathis called Sandy Smith during them meeting and asked about adding the 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe that the EMA Director.  He has been driving and Smith will now add this vehicle to the auction on December 7th. 

Bishop will be on vacation from December 30th - January 3rd and will not be available.

Other Business:

Motion to accept the Closed Session Minutes from November 18, 2024 made by Commission Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to accept the Open Session Minutes from November 18, 2024 made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis.  Both voted yes and motion passed.

Motion to Adjourn at 11:58 a.m. made by Commissioner Carol Jarrell, seconded by Commissioner Greg Mathis. Both voted yes and motion passed.

Saint Francis Healthcare System is pleased to announce a special provider open house event called Connected Care. At this open house the public will have the opportunity to meet providers from various specialties, learn about latest treatments and wellness programs, participate in interactive demonstrations, receive free health resources and attend Q&A session.